The Position and Importance of Geology Education in the Schools

Abstract

Many countries are currently focusing on obtaining financial income through the use of underground resources and promoting awareness of natural hazards. However, geology education, including these issues, is often limited to superficial coverage under geography courses in countries like Greece, China, Indonesia, and Slovenia. In contrast, some countries like Portugal struggles to engage students in their secondary school geology curriculum. While some consider that geology education is too complex for primary and secondary school students, there is evidence that new technologies, such as VR and gaming, can facilitate geology education. This review article aims to clarify the importance of geology education in schools, discussing its scope and the different approaches taken in various countries. A literature review was conducted in this study. It is obvious that geology education should be included in the school curriculum for all countries to raise awareness among primary and secondary students. Most importantly, geology education is essential for countries rich in underground resources and at risk for geological events such as earthquakes.